From knockers and knobs to letterboxes, the front door is the first thing a visitor notices about your home, so its important to take time to get the fittings absolutely right, advises Eleanor Flegg

The front door is the public face of a home, and it is worth buying the best you can afford. Not only will it stay looking good over time, but it also provides visitors with their first impression of your household.

The knocker, bell, letterbox or doorknob is likely to be the first thing people touch as they arrive, and if these are good quality, it will create the impression that everything else is quality, too. That’s why door furniture is important — it’s the handshake of the house.

“These are touchy-feely products,” says Des Cooney of Knobs & Knockers in Dublin 2. “It’s not a good idea to choose them from a catalogue or website. You need to hold them in your hand. You don’t want rough edges.”

Knockers come in myriad shapes and sizes. The postal knocker fits discreetly over the letterbox, while the doctor’s knocker, or Adam’s rib,